Gardening with Children - Introduction

Children learn from watching and doing, so explain what you’re doing and why. Keep it simple and involve them in the work and encourage them to not only look, but to touch and smell and to appreciate all the different forms of life in your garden.

Leave your adult notions of gardening success aside. For children, it is the process, not necessarily the product that is important.

If many members bring their children to the community garden, it may make sense to have a special children’s area, with smaller plots, where they can do what they want. If this is not possible set aside a small area of your own plot.

Base the plot’s size on the length of the child’s reach: it should be no wider than twice a comfortable reach, provided the plot is accessible on both sides. Edge the plot with bricks or small stones to define the boundaries of the plot and help the child to feel that it is his or her own.

Lay down boards, stepping stones, or have a grass or bark path so that it is very clear where it is okay to walk.